How to Save Money at the Gas Pump

In fact, AAA reports 34.1 million Americans are expected to take Labor Day trips at least 50 miles away from home during the upcoming holiday. That’s up 4.2 percent over last year.

But before you gas up, you should know that not all fueling stations are created equal -- especially when it comes to pricing. Find out who has the cheapest gas by plugging in your zip code at GasPriceWatch.com. And, as you make your itineraries, be sure to check out AAA’s handy Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate how much you’ll need to budget for gas.

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GasPriceWatch also offers tips on spending less for gas:

1. Buy gas when it’s coolest outside -- early in the morning or late at night. "During these times, gasoline is densest. Keep in mind: gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to 'volume of measurement.'"

2. Wednesday mornings are usually the cheapest time to buy. "The prices are usually moved up for weekend by the oil companies and by Wednesday you have had three days of competition setting in among the stations to help drive the price down a few cents."

3. Be an early bird. "Most stations generally raise or lower their prices in the morning -- around 10 a.m. Expect a rise to occur on Thursday morning."

Do you have any tips for saving money on gas?

This post was written by Lesley Kennedy, the senior managing editor at coupon and money-saving site ShopAtHome.com.